Description

General Summary:

The Leave and Benefits Manager will manage all employee requests for leave in accordance with statutory regulations, collective bargaining agreements and university policy. Primary responsibility for managing the campus sick leave banks and reconciling the same. As a member of the Benefits and Human Resources team, the Manager also contributes to additional responsibilities within the realm of health insurance, retirement, and all other employee benefit programs.

Examples of Duties:

• Communicates with employees regarding all types of leave requests. Ensures that employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities and of any documentation and notice required to qualify for and to take leave. Ensure that all requests are responded to in a timely way, in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and practices.
• Provides high-touch and responsive, timely customer service in a high-volume environment.
• Handles the FMLA leave administration process from the employee's initial notice of the need for leave to return to work. This includes gathering and completing all required documentation, determining leave eligibility, designating leave as FMLA-qualifying, requesting medical certification as needed, and accounting for intermittent leave use.
• Works with external vendor Absence Resources to coordinate non-unit classified and professional leave benefits.
• Maintains communication with employees on leave and their managers to facilitate smooth and timely return to work, relays communication between employees and their managers during leave within reason.
• Advises managers and employees on the interaction of leave laws with paid time off, workers' compensation, Massachusetts PFML and other benefits, and oversees campus administration of the same. This advice may be offered in presentation form as well as on a one-to-one basis.
• Drafts and/or recommends revisions to university leave policies to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
• Maintains complete and accurate records of leave and accommodation requests in accordance with specified legal requirements and documentation of best practices.
• Works closely with Human Resources Data Group in entering leave status updates and applying paid time off in the HR information management system as appropriate for employees on approved leaves.
• Vigilantly maintains confidentiality of employee documentation and files in accordance with applicable regulations and ensures that all communication regarding medical information are handled in a compliant manner.
• Works in a highly collaborative way with other HR team members, including HR Generalists, Payroll and Data Group, Administrative Support Staff, and the President's Office and other campuses, when necessary, to ensure that the highest quality of customer service is delivered to all constituents in a timely and empathetic manner.
• Maintains knowledge of all applicable leave laws including the FMLA, PFML, ADA (as it intersects with leaves) and state and local laws.
• Coordinates the administration of the Worker's Compensation program for the university; processes the intake of all worker's compensation documentation, including injury reports and details, witness reports and other pertinent documentation and monitors the need for additional forms and physician reports.
• Collaborates with benefits team and other HR staff on a variety of departmental initiatives.
• Performs other duties as assigned as related to leaves and benefits.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible relevant experience required. Demonstrated customer service skills -- in person and virtually -- as needed to accomplish the positions goals required.

Those who do not meet the minimum qualifications, but who possess a bachelor's degree and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, may be considered for a Leave and Benefits Administrator role and the salary will reflect this change.

Preferred Qualifications

• SHRM-CP, SPHR and/or CEBS certification a plus.
• Knowledge of various software applications, including Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of and ability to interpret bargaining unit contracts as they pertain to various types of leaves and employee benefits.
• Ability to explain the procedures, guidelines and policies governing benefits and leave administration.
• Ability to deal effectively with a wide range of constituents, including students, peers and faculty;
• Ability to maintain confidential matters and respond to written, telephone and direct walk-in inquiries.
• Ability to initiate and follow through on projects and special assignments.
• Ability to work effectively, handle multiple tasks simultaneously and adjust to changing office priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to prioritize work and track status/completion of tasks.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Completion of specialized certification or training on FMLA/leave administration a plus.

Application Instructions:

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three references.

This is a non-union exempt position.

UMass Boston expects to pay within an approximate range between $71,200 and $106,800 for this position.

The specific pay for this position will be determined by the University based on the consideration of all relevant factors when and if it decides to extend an offer of employment.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, we will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact HR@umb.edu or 617-287-5150.

Applications close: